Jun 07, 2018

California woman gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park

By Pete Thomas

A woman was gored by a bison Wednesday at Yellowstone National Park, marking the third time a tourist has been injured by a wild animal at the park this month.

Kim Hancock, 59, of Santa Rosa in Northern California, was gored in the hip area at Fountain Point in the Lower Geyser Basin, according to a park news release issued Thursday. Hancock was rushed by ambulance to Big Sky Medical Center, where she was listed in good condition.

Park officials have launched an investigation, but state that Hancock and other tourists had approached within 10 yards of the bison while walking on the boardwalk. Visitors are reminded to maintain safe distances from all wild animals.

Earlier this month, two Yellowstone tourists were injured after being struck by elk, at a time when cow elk are protective of their calves.

Hancock is the second visitor to be injured by a bison in 2018.

The news release states:

“Animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be. Give animals space when they’re near trails, boardwalks, parking lots, or in developed areas.

“Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. If you can’t maintain these distances, turn around and find an alternate route.”

Yellowstone National Park spans 3,500 square miles of wilderness in Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.